There have been a number of developments in the Retained Fire fighters dispute.
An escalation of the dispute is to come into effect today with Firefighters changing their communication methods and not engaging with Fire Service Management on returning from a call out. All communication will be through the Munster Regional Control Centre and not with Senior Fire Service Management in the county.
12 of Tipperary ‘s Councillors have submitted a motion requesting that a special meeting of the council be called to “discuss what measures and contingencies are in place, what will be put in place and also what Tipperary county council can do to best support it’s fire service” The motion also asks that a delegation of Firefighters be invited to attend the meeting to give their perspective and an outline of the problems caused by the retention and recruitment crisis.
The Minister for Social Protection is to instruct staff in INTREO offices to contact retained firefighters that were asked to provide details of the days they were on picket duty and to apologise for making such a request. Retained Fire Fighters on Unemployment Benefit have experienced delays in their claim being renewed in recent weeks.
Today Fire stations in Cashel, Cahir, Carrick on Suir, Thurles, Templemore and Roscrea are off call with other stations responding to emergency call outs.
The Motion to Tipperary County Council is in the names of Cllrs; Seamus Morris, Ann Marie Ryan, Mairin McGrath, Jim Ryan , Ritchie Molloy, Andy Moloney, Micheal Lowry, Shane Lee, Eddie Moran Hugh McGrath, Kevin O’ Meara and Michael O’Meara.
The public are advised to continue to call 999 or 112 in the event of an emergency.
